I had completely forgotten about this.
Author: Joseph
Blog site owner
#Kilbirnie First Parish Priest 1864 Death Certificate #northayrshire
Death Certificate of Father Thomas Patrick Lee, (at the bottom) the first Parish Priest of Kilbirnie. He apparently was infected by fleas whilst giving the Last Rights aged 33.
https://seosaidh197.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/2018-5-10_52844-01.jpeg
St Brigids Church History 1862-1962 #kilbirnie #northayrshire
please click here for the document (PDF) Final page here
This 27 page document produced in 1962 looks at Catholicism on the west coast of Scotland and details how the Church in Kilbirnie came to be opened in 1862. It contains a photo of the first priest ( I already posted his death certificate on this blog) as well as the surnames of all of the first Catholic families to worship in the Church which is very good for genealogy researchers. It gives a rare glimpse of Catholic life on the west coast of Scotland and also talks about the opening of the school as well as other Churches in the area.
Christmas at Dublin Castle
For those of us with Irish roots.
https://www.rte.ie/player/movie/christmas-in-the-castle/349855272218
Jean Jeffrey McTaggart
This picture is of Jean Jeffrey, my Great Great Grandmother, (sometimes spelt Jeffray or Jeffries) who was married to Neil McTaggart and lived at 13 Dennyholm Street, Kilbirnie, by the mill on the site of what is now Dennyholm Wynd, Her Mother was Mary Jeffrey who married Andrew Stevenson, whose family were coal merchants in the town.
There is a family story that Neil was a twin with a brother Malcolm but I have not been able to prove that from any government records.
Jeanie had a very large family, including my Great Grandfather Neil as well as a daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth married Samuel Cairns and two of their children are sitting on Jean´s lap. Jean was red haired and used to walk from the Dennyholm out to Glengarnock barefoot to visit some of her children
Jean died in 1927. I estimate this photo to have been taken around 1923.
A Description of Kilbirnie from 1837
Including the names:
CLERGY
Ferguson, Rev. James (reformed presbytery), Hill cottage
Urquhart, Rev. Robert (established church), Manse
ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS
Miller, James, Bank
Parochial School, James Muir, master
Stewart, James, Dennyholm
BLEACHERS AND THREAD MANUFACTURERS
Knox, William & James, Water side
BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS
Allan, George, Bridge st
Allan, James, Newtown
Allan, John, Cockran st
Anderson, William, Cockran st
Irvine, David, Mill st
Sinclair, John, Bridge st
Steel, John, Bridge st
CARTWRIGHTS
Barclay, James, Bridge st
Crawford, Archibald, Cockran st
Dickie, William, Newtown
COTTON MANUFACTURERS (by power)
Watson, David, Kilbirnie Mill – Matthew Shanks, manager
FLAX SPINNERS
Wilson & Jamesons, Garnock mill
FLESHERS
Orr, Robert, Bridge st
Patton, Robert, Bridge st
Shedden, William, Bridge st
GROCERS & SPIRIT DEALERS
Allan, John, Bridge st
Brodie, James, Mill st
Fife, Robert (& agent), bridge st
Fife, William (tea dealer), Main st
Law, John, Bridge st
Mackie, James, Bridge st
Patton, Robert, Bridge st
Shedden, William, Bridge st
Walker, James, Bridge st
STONE MASONS
Knox, Robert, Bridge st
Russell, Allan, Bridge st
TAILORS
Bryan, Hugh, Main st
Clark, Robert, Bridge st
VINTERS
Archibald, Elizabeth, Bridge st
Crawford, Robert, Bridge st
Durrock, Alexander, Bridge st
Love, William, Bridge st
McCormick, Janet, Main st
Orr, Robert, Bridge st
Walker, John, Mill st
MISCELLANEOUS
Barclay, Peter, joiner, Cockran st
Baxter, Daniel, sexton
Beech, Allan, tinsmith, Hamilton st
Crawford, Rachael, draper, Bridge st
Dickie, George, miller, Nether mill
Graham, James, cabinet maker, Main st
Howie, Andrew, lime burner, Auchinleck
Jameson, James, coal merchant, Lade side
McCosh, John, baker, Main st
Montgomerie, Skeoh (?), rope maker, Dennyholm
Orr, Robt, earthenware dealer, Bridge st
Pebles, James, wheel maker, Bridge st
Walker, William, surgeon, Main st
CARRIERS
To Glasgow, James Allan and James Allan jnr, every Thursday.
A Snow White Blanket Dawn
And comes a snow white blanket dawn around the Garnock way across the darkened thoughts of man a Love at break of day And o´er the bogs and hills there´s ice the cows they gently cower a voice says “Man with all your cares be still for just an hour” The darkened views of waning health exchanged for winter cheer the snow reflects a gentle calm upon the town so dear And on the braes the deer are seen walking proudly by no man can touch their safety now upon their mountain high Upon the tombs of rested men lies layers of icy sense reflecting that the One great Mind preserves their innocence O the Love that comes to Man and all that went before with coal fires, spades and gas lamplight the steel work furnace roared Now with vision double glazed with houses big and warm we still declare it's not enough to get us through the morn Demanding more at every turn it gently takes us higher looking towards a Higher sense than simply vain desire
Kilbirnie & Beyond 
